On , “Rebecca and her daughters” attacked the Carmarthen Workhouse. This was a departure from their usual attacks on tollgates, and was an unusual development for a number of other reasons.
The Rebeccaites conscripted men into their ranks by posting notices demanding all men between sixteen and seventy to meet at a particular place the morning of the attack. This also had the effect of forewarning the authorities, some of whom also turned up to try (unsuccessfully) to discourage the band.
The group, about 4,500 strong, marched on Carmarthen in broad daylight, carrying signs with protest messages and following the usual gaudily-dressed “Rebecca.” When they reached the Workhouse, they set to work destroying it.
Then the 4th Light Dragoons, a British Army unit, galloped to the scene, and the Rebeccaites scattered, with several taken prisoner.
Today I’ll reproduce some of the contemporary accounts of the attack found in Welsh newspapers.
From the Cambrian:
Rebecca at Carmarthen, &c.
In our last publication we detailed some of the depredating proceedings of
the gang of organized rioters, known by the name of “Rebecca and her
Daughters,” which proved that their strength, influence, and audacity, daily
increased to a degree almost incredible; and we ventured to state, that were
the depredators not checked by the presence of a strong military force, law
and authority would soon become a mere dead letter. This week we have
received so many communications confirming our anticipations, that the
greatest difficulty presenting itself is to give a judicious selection from
our correspondence. We shall commence by detailing Rebecca’s feats at
Carmarthen, on . The
authorities of Carmarthen had incurred Rebecca’s greatest displeasure ever
since the destruction of the Water-street gate, in consequence of the
Magistrates having issued distress-warrants against the goods of the parties
who refused paying toll on the day following. We gave an account, in our
last, of the unsuccessful attempt made to execute the warrant, by the
pensioners and special constables, who were even compelled to assist the mob
in the work of demolishing a wall belonging to Mr. Davies, a Magistrate, who
had endorsed the warrant. Immediately after that audacious yet successful
effort to set at defiance the civil authorities, several County and Borough
Magistrates assembled at the Carmarthen Townhall, took down in writing the
depositions of several of the special constables and pensioners, respecting
the daring conduct of the rioters, and forwarded a copy of the depositions
made to Sir James Graham, the Home Secretary, who, as will be seen by the
remaining part of this account, lost no time in sending a party of the
4th Light Dragoons to Carmarthen, who arrived just
in time to save the Union Workhouse from destruction. After her many
successful feats in arms, “Rebecca” thought it no longer necessary to fall
upon her prey in the stillness of night, or in any way to conceal her march,
for soon after the Magistrates had forwarded communications to the Secretary
of State, they received letters from Rebecca, informing them that she would
pay Carmarthen a visit, not in the evening, midnight, or at break of day, but
at noon, “Yn ngwyneb haul a llygad
goleuni,” [“in the face of the sun and the eye of light”] and that she
would let them “know her grievances.” Whether words or actions were to be the
channels of information was not stated, but from her subsequent proceedings
we infer the latter. The great majority of those who considered themselves
above vulgar credulity, did not expect that this appointment would be
faithfully kept, and considered it a mere rumour, to be believed by those who
preferred the marvellous to the true. Yet many tradesmen had taken the
precaution of closing their shops, and during
there was little, if
indeed any, business transacted in the town.
, a party of the rioters
advanced towards the town from the old Newcastle road, through the
Water-street gate, which had been previously demolished, and marched through
the principal streets in the town, for the purpose, we presume, of increasing
their strength by the addition of the townspeople, who through fear or
inclination would join them. The majority of those who arrived in town were
mounted on horses, and several of them were dressed in women’s clothes. Our
correspondent assures us, that the number of rioters, including the
inhabitants of the town who joined them from fear of the consequences to
themselves and families, could not be much less than 5000 persons. Their
first object of attack was the Union workhouse, which was first entered, as
our correspondent informs us, by “the bad boys of the town,” who had joined
the Rebeccaites. They set about their mission of destruction in a very
spirited manner, and commenced operations by freely throwing out of the
windows feather-beds, chairs, portions of bedsteads, and whatever articles of
furniture they could lay their hands upon, and they most undoubtedly thought
their progress would not be stayed before the whole building would be razed
to the ground. Most fortunately, just at this time, the party of the
4th Light Dragoons, stationed at Cardiff, who had
been a few days before sent to Carmarthen by the Home Secretary, at the
solicitation of the Magistrates, arrived, commanded by Major Parlsby, and
headed by C.T. Morris, Esq.,
a very active Borough Magistrate. They immediately proceeded to the
Workhouse, and took the rioters by surprise. The consternation of the mob,
when the military surrounded the Workhouse, may well be imagined, and the
Riot Act was immediately read. Many of the bye-standers, amongst whom was our
correspondent, trembled for the consequences, thinking that the military
would be commanded to fire, but happily the Rebeccaites made no
resistance, — their valour “oozed out at their fingers’ ends,” and thinking
that prudence was the best part of valour, their efforts were directed to the
best method of making their escape from their now perilous position. Though
several of the rioters succeeded in escaping, a great number were captured,
and brought up for examination before the Magistrates, when eleven were
committed to prison, and about seventy held to bail, to appear at the next
assizes. The whole town was in a state of the greatest ferment and excitement
when the prisoners were conveyed to the gaol. Upwards of one hundred and
fifty foot soldiers were expected in the town at the time our correspondent
wrote. Their billets had been engaged. Empty houses were recommended, rather
than inns. Rumours prevailed that Rebecca intended visiting the town that
night, but after such a signal defeat, it was not probable this appointment
would be so faithfully kept. — So much for Rebecca’s feats at Carmarthen.
Another correspondent informs us, that, on
, a party of about 30
Rebeccaites destroyed another toll-gate situate near the town of Narberth, on
the Whitland trust, together with the toll-house. They accomplished their
work without any interruption, and afterwards marched off triumphantly, not
one of them being recognized. Some of our contemporaries assert, that the
Rebeccaites are always under the command of a particular individual, and that
they never set about their depredating performances excepting when headed by
that individual, who some even say, is a county magistrate, and a man of
fortune. Such reports may be well calculated to please those readers who are
fond of the marvellous, but we would rather confine ourselves to what is
really true. On ,
the Narberth gate was destroyed, and we also understand that the Pontyberem
gate and house were burned to the ground, which prove that Rebecca may be in
several places at one time, or rather that there are several Rebeccas. On
, two gates in the
neighbourhood of St. Clears
were entirely destroyed, and on , one at Llanddarog and another near Cross Hands, on the Llandilo
road. Our correspondent at Cardigan states, that Rebecca is the sole topic of
conversation there, and the inhabitants tremble lest she should pay them a
gate-destroying visit. The same correspondent encloses us the following
excellent address to Rebecca and her Daughters, issued by that spirited
advocate of civil and religious liberty, E. C. Ll. Hall,
Esq., Barrister-at-Law:—
Welshmen, you have sent me a letter commanding me to appear on
night at Blaennant
Lane, armed and disguised. That your object is to obtain redress for
some of the grievances with which you are oppressed is evident. But this is
not the way to obtain such redress. I have been, as you know, labouring for
years to gain you the rights of free men, and now that I begin to see the
possibility of doing some good for you, you step in, and by your violence
and folly hinder me in the good work; and instead of hastening the time when
all your grievances will be at an end, your nonsensical extravagance gives
an excuse to your oppressors for refusing to listen to your complaints; and
the redress you seek is farther off than ever. Get one grievance
redressed at a time. The Magistrates and Trustees of the Newcastle and
Carmarthen Trust have appointed to overhaul the grievances
connected with that Trust. I have been retained on the part of the Men
of the Hundred of Upper Elvet to represent their interests at such meeting.
Do you think I will neglect my duty? Do you think it is likely I should
flinch from insisting on justice being done to the people? Or do you think
that I am ignorant of the means of screwing it out from the Trustees let
them be as reluctant as they will? They have not been accustomed to be
brought authoritatively to account. Like young colts not broken, they must
be treated at first both gently and firmly. Do you think any firmness is
wanting in me? Why then will you do anything that will prevent my
getting the bridle into their mouth? Do you think I can countenance or
join your riotous proceedings? I tell you No. And what is
more, though I have fought, am fighting, and will continue to fight your
battles, until I can obtain perfect justice and political regeneration for
you and your children, I am and will always be the first man to keep the
Queen’s peace and prevent anything like rioting or disturbance. Enough has
been done already to convince the Government of the great and universal
discontent which your grievances have caused among you. They have sent down
soldiers to keep the peace. I therefore entreat you not to meet together
on . I have written
for the soldiers to come here and prevent your doing mischief if you should.
Why will you hinder me from fighting your battles in the only way in which
we can be successful; and by your violence and absurdity, which can do no
good, turn me from a friend to an enemy? Your conduct is childish and absurd
and not like men who have great objects to attain. Why will you exhibit
folly when wisdom is required? The penalty for pulling down a
Turnpike House is Transportation for Life. What good can you get by
running such a risk, when you may attain everything you ought to have, in a
peaceable and quiet manner, without running any danger whatever? I can only
attribute it to your ignorance, which prevents you from being able to guide
in its proper course the great and irresistible force which you possess. A
hundredth part of your strength properly applied, will do more for you, and
without risk, than a thousand times your power wasted in the absurdities you
have lately indulged in. Be guided by me. Do what I tell you and you
must be victorious in the end. Go each one to your own homes on
, peaceably and quietly.
On let each Parish
choose two Delegates to come to me (as the Parishes in the Hundred of Upper
Elvet have done) to make me acquainted with your grievances and then follow
implicitly the advice I shall give them. If you do, peace and prosperity
will be sure to return to you. If you do not, I shall leave you to enjoy the
results of your ignorance and folly.
Edw. A. Lloyd Hall
Emlyn Cottage,
Newcastle Emlyn,
.
A Correspondent, at Llandyssil, informs us, that Cardiganshire, which had
been a proverbially quiet and undisturbed part of the country, has latterly
become the scene of continual depredations. Last week, a little thatched
cottage, in which a woman resided who received the tolls at Pontweli gate,
near the village of Llandyssil, was burnt to the ground, though no fire had
been lighted in it since the preceding day. The next house was with
considerable difficulty saved from the devouring element. On
[Henry Tobit
Evans dates these attacks at ],
the toll-gate at Pontweli and that at Troedyrhew-bribin, both of which are
near Llandyssil, and on the road between Newcastle Emlyn and Llandovery, with
the gatehouse belonging to the latter (the other having been destroyed as
stated above), were entirely demolished by a crowd of disguised individuals.
Our Correspondent adds, “They were so daring, and assumed such an
authoritative tone, that they forcibly compelled those whom they met to join
them in the work of destruction. They compelled even the toil-receiver and the
special constable to strike the first blow at the gates. They carried
fire-arms with them, which they discharged.” Bwlch-clawdd gate, in the parish
of Llangeder, Carmarthenshire, was destroyed on
[Evans does date that
attack to ]. On
, a letter signed “Eliza,” and dated
at Conwil, was left at the house of a person residing at Llandyssil, by a
person unknown to the servant, and who immediately decamped after delivering
it. The writer requested, or rather commanded the individual to whom it was
addressed, under pain of a nocturnal visit, to summon all the inhabitants of
Llandyssil to meet the writer
at the gate of Llanvihangel-yeroth, which she intended destroying. The
receiver of the letter, alarmed at the consequences of neglecting or refusing
to obey the orders of his fair, though unwelcome, Correspondent, sent the
crier to publish the contents of the letter throughout the village. Eliza
faithfully kept her appointment, and passed through Llandyssil with a large
party, who were disguised and armed with guns, which they discharged at
intervals. A great number of the peaceably-disposed inhabitants of
Llandyssil, struck with terror at Eliza’s threats, joined Rebecca’s children,
and marched to the Llanvihangel-yeroth gate. a distance of three miles, where
all were compelled to labour hard in the work of destruction, amid the
cheers, howlings, and sometimes horrid screeches of Rebecca and her
children.” In a short time, the gate, posts,
&c., were
entirely destroyed and carried away by the crowd.
We believe the above is a full and faithful statement of the proceedings of
these deluded depredators during the last few days. Our correspondents
express various doubts as to the legality and justice of the erection of some
of the gates, but all agree in denouncing the above deluded, lawless, and
irrational proceedings, which are a disgrace to our country.
the company of the
73d Regiment, stationed at Swansea, under the
command of Major Dawson and Mr. Lyon, marched to Carmarthen, in pursuance of
an order from the Home Secretary.
We have been informed by a gentleman who travelled through Pembrokeshire and
Carmarthenshire on , that the
effect on trade and business generally, produced by the lawless conduct of
the Rebeccaites, is most deplorable; not only are the inhabitants in a state
of great personal fear, but trade is stagnant and dull in the extreme. He
adds, the farmers, who expect by such violence to redress their grievances,
must surely forget that prosperity and peace are handmaidens. How do they
expect those who usually visit watering and country towns for recreation, to
locate where the iron rule of might sets herself in array against law and
order? Tenby is suffering greatly, and the farmers ought to recollect that
their produce will remain on their hands if there are no persons to buy; the
county-rates also must be enlarged, and not diminished, by the additional
expenditure thus thrown upon them.
A letter from our Correspondent at Cardigan, dated on
, says:— “The Rebeccaites were at their favourite work again
; — they pulled down three
gates, near Newcastle-Emlyn, on the Cardigan side of the river,
viz., Henafod, Adpar, and Kerry
gates. It is said that they go to Kenarth
, and to the Cardigan gates
. Where these proceedings
will end is a difficult thing to know — very likely in bloodshed and the loss
of lives.”
The Cenarth gate was attacked . I’m not sure what the Correspondent means by “the Cardigan gates.”
From the Monmouthshire Merlin:
Riots at Carmarthen.
Arrival of the Military and Capture of Sixty of the Rioters.
During the early part of , the most intense excitement prevailed in all quarters of the
town of Carmarthen and neighbourhood, in consequence of Rebecca having
intimated to the mayor and magistrates, that she and her daughters would pay
them a visit at the town-hall in the course of
, for the purpose of stating the
grievances of which they complain, and at the same time plainly intimating
that if they did not obtain redress, “vengeance would follow,” and the
workhouse should be visited. As might be expected from the lawless career
which these deluded men have recently pursued, all classes were greatly
alarmed and as it was currently rumoured that a military force was expected
in town (the posse comitatus and pensioners have been hitherto totally
useless), consequences of a very painful description were fearfully
anticipated.
In the course of ,
the borough authorities held several consultations with the county
magistrates, and every precautionary measure which was deemed necessary for
the safety of the town, and the protection of property were immediately had
recourse to. Communications having been despatched to Sir James Graham, the
Home Secretary, the magistrates were informed that a military force
sufficient to meet the exigencies of the case would be sent to their
assistance. At , the special constables, with the police and the pensioners,
assembled at the Guildhall, when they were met by the mayor. At this time the
streets were thronged with anxious groups of the inhabitants endeavouring to
obtain information as to the movements and measures of the Rebeccaites. By
business was completed
suspended, and the immediate neighbourhood of the Guild-hall became densely
crowded with people anxious to see the events of the day, while the more
timid were seen wending their way with anxious look to the Castle-hill, to
watch the advance of the military, on whom they felt the safety of the town
wholly depended.
, at last arrived, and with it the intelligence
that the rioters were approaching the town by the old Newcastle road. This
was immediately confirmed by the appearance of the procession, headed by a
band of music, and bearing a white banner, with this inscription,
“Cyfiawnder yr ydym yn ymofyn,” (Justice we do require),
passing through Water-street gate, thence they proceeded up Catherine-street,
round the Monument, down Lammas-street, Blue-street, over the Quay,
Spilman-street, round St.
Peter’s Church, and down King-street, the Cross, and Guildhall Square. Our
own correspondent says, “The procession, we should say, numbered above one
thousand persons, the majority of whom were on horseback, and had females
respectably dressed in their ranks.” Other communications now before us vary
considerably in the details. One estimates the procession at 2000, while
another goes as high as 4000. On reaching Guildhall-square, the Rebeccaites
immediately directed their course towards the Union Workhouse, which is
situated a short distance from it. When they reached this point, they knocked
at the door of the lodge, rang the porter’s bell, and demanded immediate
admittance. This demand not being complied with, they forced their way within
the outer enclosure by hundreds, entered the Workhouse, proceeded up stairs,
and commenced throwing out the beds and bed clothing from the windows, at the
same time demanding the instantaneous release of the inmates.
While this scene of confusion was proceeding, a party of the
4th Light Dragoons, under the command ot Major
Parlby, arrived from Cardiff, and had just reached Spilman-street, when the
magistrates were informed that the mob had taken possession of the Workhouse,
and were going to raze it to the ground, whereupon Mr. Thomas Charles Morris,
one of the borough magistrates, headed the military, and proceeded to the
spot. They immediately surrounded the wall to cut off the escape of those
within, while a party entered to secure the rioters. Notwithstanding the
precautions of the military, in the confusion numbers contrived to elude
their grasp by scaling the walls and beating a retreat as fast as their limbs
could carry them. Indeed this part of the day’s proceedings is inexpressibly
ludicrous. The courage of these doughty heroes, which has hitherto animated
them to the pitch of valour when only opposed by the nerveless efforts of a
supine magistracy and a few inoffensive constables, like
Bob Acre’s “pluck,”
suddenly oozed out before a handful of well-disciplined soldiers; in fact,
the route was as signal and instantaneous as the celebrated defeat of the
local amateur warriors now almost as famous in Cambrian story as the retreat
of the ten thousand. The soldiers however, succeeded in taking upwards of
sixty prisoners.
A meeting of the borough and county magistrates was immediately held on the
spot, and the depositions of several witnesses taken down. Owing to the
shortness of time which has elapsed we regret that we have been unable to
obtain copies of these important documents. The magistrates were engaged in
the examination till , when, we understand, they committed six persons to the county
gaol, and three to the borough prison, all to take their trial at the ensuing
assizes; one man was remanded and fifty-two were held to bail. Major Pailby
and his party deserve the greatest credit for the prompt and soldier-like
manner in which they acted on this occasion.
Some idea of the despatch with which the troop hastened to the scene of the
disturbance, may be formed from a fact stated to us by an eye witness — that
one of the troop horses immediately dropped down dead from sheer exhaustion,
on entering the yard of the Workhouse. Indeed, had it not been for their very
timely arrival and assistance, the Carmarthen Workhouse would have been
totally destroyed and it is hard to say if even private property would have
escaped unscathed had these lawless men been allowed to retain the mastery of
the town for an hour or two longer.
The capture of so many of Rebecca’s gang, will no doubt tend to lead to the
conviction of the leader or leaders, who have so long bid defiance to the
law. The want of systematic procedure and precaution in avoiding a surprise
by the military, would induce us to think that Rebecca herself was not
present at the riot on . The skill,
and above all the celerity, with which her followers have hitherto conducted
their proceedings, is abundant evidence that she is an able tactician. Such a
captain would have conducted the expedition of
in very different style. There are
strange rumours afloat in regard to the identity of this now celebrated
leader. It is now beyond doubt that he is a gentleman of fortune, and
moreover a magistrate of a neighbouring county. His name we have even heard,
but we do not at present wish to make any hazardous supposition on the
subject, as it is extremely probable we shall be enabled to make some
important disclosures to the public by .
We have been favoured with the perusal of a letter (dated
) from a gentleman in
Carmarthen, to a correspondent in Swansea, in which he states — “It is
rumoured that Rebecca will visit the town
with a thousand armed men but we
do not expect anything, as all is now quiet. The magistrates are gone home,
and the soldiers to their quarters.” — Swansea Journal.
